Wayne State Golfer Jack Julian Wins Michigan Publinx Medal Play Championship
By Greg Johnson
Jack Julian of South Lyon struggled to put rounds together during his recent season on the Wayne State University golf team, but it wasn’t a problem in the Michigan Publinx Medal Play Championship.
Julian, 22, made nine birdies and zero bogeys in his final 27 holes and romped to his first Michigan Publinx title at Pheasant Run Golf Club. His 13-under total for 54 holes was seven ahead of runner-up Sean Friel of Rochester, a former Michigan State golfer who shot 6-under 210.
Jerred Barley of Tecumseh, the 2024 Michigan Publinx Medal Play Champion, finished third at 214, and John Quigley of Sterling Heights, the 2023 Michigan Publinx Medal Play Champion, tied at 215 with Wayne State golfer Josh Lahner of Roselle, Ill.
“It feels amazing,” Julian said. “I don't really know how to feel right now, honestly. It still feels crazy that it happened. I finally put rounds together.”
Julian, a former standout hockey player now concentrating on golf, said sticking with his process was the key to victory. He said finishing second a year ago in the championship left a bad taste in his mouth.
“So, this year I really wanted to come back,” he said. “After the first day last year I was able to put myself in position coming down the stretch and didn’t get it done. I did think I could win going into today. I just didn’t know it would turn out like this.”
Julian wasn’t the only runaway winner on the day.
Andrew Smith of Oakland Township won the Michigan Publinx Medal Play Senior title by eight shots with a 4-under 212 total. The 51-year-old current president of the Michigan Publinx and native of England won one of the organization's major titles for the first time and said he’s truly looking forward to the exemption the win earned him into the Michigan PGA Tournament of Champions up at Boyne Mountain.
Grants Awarded to 32 First Tee Chapters, Including three in Michigan
The PGA of America REACH Foundation partnered with the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation to award 32 grants to First Tee chapters nationwide. Three in Michigan will be benefactors: the Greater Detroit Chapter, plus Northen Michigan and West Michigan.
The funding, which comes from a previously announced $7.6 million grant to the PGA of America REACH Foundation by the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, will provide 6,000 PGA Jr. League Scholarships and expanded access to the sport for First Tee participants over the next three years.
“Junior golfers are discovering the game in more ways than ever before, thanks to development programs like PGA Jr. League that are making golf more accessible, engaging and fun for young players,” said Ralph Stokes, Vice President, Partnerships and Community Relations, PGA TOUR Superstore. “We are proud to partner with PGA of America REACH and the First Tee and are committed to the positive impact sports can have in developing and supporting youth.”
